The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1887-07-15
WILL STAY AWAY.
President Cleveland Reconsiders
His Intention to Visit ST. Louis.
A Lengthy Letter Explaining His Reasons
for His Action-A Wish to Avoid I'm
pIeasantness with the G. A. R.-No
Fear of Violence.
HE WON'T GO.

was the chairman OF the committee of
representative citizens of ST. Louis who
verbally invited the President to visit
this city during the holding of the encamp-
ment of the Grand Army of the Republic
next September, explains itself without
further comment:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. c.,
July a, 1SS7.-The Hon. Dd0id r. Francis, Mayor
and Cha6nad7s-MY DEAR SIR: When 1 re-
ceived the extremely cordial and gratifying in
vitation from the citizens of ST. Louis, ten
dered by number of her representative men,
to visit that city during the National encamp-
meat of the Grand Army of the Republic had
been contemplating for some time the accept
allee of an invitation from that organization to
the same effect and had considered the
pleasure which it would afford me, if it should
be possible to meet not only members of
the Grand Army, but the people of St.
Louis and other cities in the West which the
occasion would give me an opportunity to
visit. The exactions of my public duties felt
to be so uncertain, however, that when first
confronted by the delegation of which you
were the head expected to do no more at that
time than to promise the consideration of the
double invitation rendered me, and express the
pleasure it would give me to accept the same
thereafter if possible. But the cordality and
sincerity of your presentation, re-enfor ced by
the heartiness of the people who surrounded
you, SO impressed me that could not resist the
feeling which prompted me to assure you on
the spot that I would be with you and the
Grand Army of the Republic at the time desig-
mated if nothing happened in the meantime to
absolutely prevent my leaving Washington.
Immediately upon the public announcement
CT this conclusion expressions emanating from
certain important members of the Grand Army
OF the Republic, and increasing in volume and
virulence, constrained me to review my accept
ance of these invitations The expressions re
ferred to go to the extent of declaring that l
would be an unwelcome guest at the
time and place of the National Encamp-
ment. This statement is based as well
as I can judge upon certain official
acts of mine, involving important public
interests, done under the restraints and obli-
cations of my oath of office, which do not ap-
pear to accord with the wishes of some mem
bers of the Grand Army of the Republic re-
fuse to believe that this organization, founded
upon patriotic ideas, composed very largely of
men entitled to lasting honor and considera-
ton, and whose GROWING glory it
should be that they are American citizens
as well as veteran soldiers, deems it a
part of it's mission to compass any object
or purpose by attempting to intimidate
the executive or coerce those charged with
making and executing the laws and yet the ex-
pressions to which have referred indicate such
a prevalence of unfriendly feeling and such
menace to an occasion which should be har-
monious, peaceful and cordial that they can not
be ignored. I beg you to understand that am
not conscious of any act of mine which should
make me fear to meet the Grand Army of the
Republic or any other assemblage of my fellow
citizens. The account of my official steward.
ship is always ready for presentation to my
countrymen. I should not be frank if failed to
have been hurt by unworthy and wanton attacks
upon me growing out of this matter and the reck-
less manner in which my actions and motives
have been misrepresented, both publicly and pri4
vately, for which, however, the Grand Army OF
the Republic, as body, is by no means respon-
sible.
The threats of personal violence and harm
IN case undertook the trip in question, which
scores of misguided, unbalanced men under the
stimulation of excited feeling have made, are
not even considered. Rather than abandon my
visit to the West and dsappoint your citizens
l might, if alone were concerned, submit to
the insult to which it is quite openly asserted
would be helplessly subjected if present at the
encampment; but I should bear with me there
the peoples highest office, the dignity of which
must protect; and believe that neither the
Grand Army of the Republic as an organization,
nor any thing like majority of it's members,
upon it. If, however, among the membership
OF this body there are some, as certainly seems
to be the case, determined to denounce me and
my official acts at the National encampment Ibe
lieve they should be permitted to do so unre-
strained by my presence as a guest of their
ganiZation or as guest of the hospitable city
in which their meeting is held. A number of
the Grand Army posts have sgnified their in
tention, am informed, to remain away from
the encampment in case visit the city at that
time. Without considering the merit of such
an excuse feel that / ought not to be the
cause of such non-attendance. The time and
place of the encampment were fixed long before
my invitations were received. Those desiring
to participate in its proceedings should be first
regarded, and nothing should be permitted to
interfere with their intentions.
Another consideration of more Importance
than all others remains to be noticed The fact
was referred to by you when you verbally pre-
sented the invitation of the citizens of ST. Louis
that the coming encampment of the Grand
Army OF the Republic would be the first held in
Southern State. suppose this fact was men
toned as pleasing indication of the fraternal
feeling fast gaining ground throughout the en-
tire land and hailed by every patriotic citizen as
an earnest that the Union has really and in fact
been saved in sentiment and spirit with all the
benefits it vouchsafes to united people. can
not rid myself of the belief that the least dis
cord on this propitious occasion might retard
the progress of the sentiment of common
broth erhood which the Grand Army of the Re
public has so good an opportunity to increase
and foster. / certainly ought not to be the
cause of such discord in any event or upon any
pretext.
1t seems to me that you and the citizens of
St. Louis are entitled to this unreserved
statement of the conditions which have con-
strained me to forego my contemplated visit
and to withdraw my acceptance of your
invitation. My presence in your city at
the time you have indicated can be of but
little moment compared with the i'm
portance of the cordial and harmonious enter
tainment of your other guests. 1 assure you
that abandon my plan without the least per-
sonal feeling except regret, constrained thereto
by sense Of duty, actuated by desire to save
any embarrassment to the people of ST. Louis or
their expected guests, and with heart full of
grateful appreciation of the sincere and unaf-
fected kindness of your citizens. Hoping the
encampment may be an occasion of much use
fulness, and that its proceedings may illustrate
the highest patriotism of American citizenship,
am yours, very sincerely,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
ST. LOUIS, July S-The following letter
was received yesterday by the original
committee appointed by the Grand Army:
EAECUIINE MANSIONs w ASHINGION, ~.
c., July 4-7o Ddoid r. Francis, Mayor of the
City of 81. Louis: Frank GaienBie, President
of the Merchants EGchange, and John
W. Noble, Commander Frank P. Blair
Post, No. I, G. a. r., conmaittee-GEN
TLEMEN: While have hitherto made
no formal response to your invitation given in
February last to myself and Mrs. Cleveland to
attend the National Encampment of the Grand
Army of the Republic, to be held in st. Louis
from the 9th to the Both of September next
have verbally indicated my purpose to accept
1t if should find it possible then to be absent
from Washington. The statement contained
in your letter that the organization was never
in so fourishing condition as now nor its
membership so large; that no effort is being
spared by citizens of St. Louis to insure.a well
come of unusual warmth at this, the first en-
campment of that body ever held in Southern
State; and your suggestion that no compliment
more fitting could be bestowed upon the valiant
defenders of common country by the Chief
Executive of a restored Union, and none
would be more highly appreciated than that
soGferred by his presence at such a time and
place., enlisted my feeling and interest
More recently indications have been disclosed
inst however correctly You expressed the pre-
ealing sentiment in the Grand Army, there are
s,embers and some posts Of that body enter
grin 70